Compressed Absorbing Medium

ABSTRACT

An absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/014,129 filed on 29 Aug. 2013, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,777filed on 27 Sep. 2012, which application was a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/348,239 filed Jan. 11, 2012, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,316,581; which application was a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,216 filed Feb. 9,2009, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,160, which application was adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/993,599 filed Nov. 19,2004, each entitled “COMPRESSED GROWING MEDIUM.” This application claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/249,837, whichwas filed on 2 Nov. 2016 and titled “An Absorbing Medium.” Each of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference for all that theydisclose.

BACKGROUND

Solidifiers are composed of tiny pellets that can either absorb oradsorb. Solidifiers are sometimes used to clean up oil spills. In thissituations, the solidifier is added to the spilled oil. Solidifiers thenadsorb or absorb the oil or other type of liquid. Removal of thesolidified oil is performed by removing the solidifiers which takes theoil with it. Some solidifiers are relatively non-toxic to aquatic andwild life and suppress harmful vapors commonly associated withhydrocarbons. The reaction time for solidification of oil is controlledby the surface area or size of the polymer or dry pellets as well as theviscosity and thickness of the oil layer.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an absorption medium includes compressed coirparticles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volumeto volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having beenground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch. The compressed coirparticles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fiber have alength between ¼ inch and ½ inch.

The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having beencompressed with an oil absorbent.

The oil absorbent may be kenaf.

The oil absorbent may be perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth,vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.

The compressed coir particles may be admixed with an uncompressed oilabsorbent.

The uncompressed oil absorbent may be kenaf.

The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having beencompressed with superabsorbing polymer.

The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having beencompressed with spagham peat moss.

The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having beencompressed with eating microbes.

In one embodiment, a method of making an absorption medium includescompressing coir from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratioof greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and grinding the compressedcoir into ground coir with to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch. Theground coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coirfiber have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.

Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with anoil absorbent.

The oil absorbent may be kenaf.

The oil absorbent may be perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth,vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.

The method may also include admixing the ground coir an uncompressed oilabsorbent.

The uncompressed oil absorbent may be kenaf.

Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with asuperabsorbing polymer.

Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir withspagham peat moss.

Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir witheating microbes.

In one embodiment, a method of using an absorption medium adding anabsorbing medium onto the harmful material, where the absorption mediumincludes compressed coir particles having been compressed from anuncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, butless than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to½ inch. The compressed coir particles includes coir dust and coir fiberswhere the coir fiber have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.

The method may include removing the absorbing medium after the harmfulmaterial is at least partially absorbed into the absorbing medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the presentsystem and method and are a part of the specification. The illustratedembodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and donot limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a method of making an absorption medium inaccordance with the principles described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a method of using an absorption medium inaccordance with the principles described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of an absorbing medium in accordance with theprinciples described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of an absorbing medium in accordance with theprinciples described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts of a commercially available medium.

FIG. 6 depicts of a commercially available medium.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and method for absorbing liquids is disclosed. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present productsand methods may be practiced without these specific details. Referencein the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Theappearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the absorbing medium comprises a bulkingagent in combination with a water retentive polymer and other componentsas described below.

A hydrophilic fibrous bulking agent forms the majority of the absorbingmedium. Generally, the bulking agent ranges from about 50% to about 98%of the absorbing medium. Examples of the bulking agent include coir,peat, cotton, mineral wool, paper pulp, peat bark, birch bark, wooland/or hair. In one embodiment the bulking agent comprises coir dustwith coir fibers, and possibly other parts of the coconut that mightenhance drainage and growth. Coir fibers assist in drainage of waterwhile the coir dust enhances the expansion of the absorbing medium.

The grind size of the bulking agent helps to control the structuralintegrity of the absorbing medium even when wet, and also affects theexpansion process. Generally, the grind size of the bulking agentdepends on various factors of the absorbing medium, such as its size incompressed form, and the amount of water drainage needed. Thus, thegrind size is influenced by the location of use of the absorbing mediumsince the atmospheric conditions of locations vary from arid to humid.Generally, the bulking agent grind size range from being able to passthrough an approximately ½ inch mesh screen to being able to passthrough an approximately 1 inch mesh screen.

Before grinding, the coir fibers may be several inches long. Aftergrinding, coir fibers ranging from the original length of several incheslong to very short fibers may be included in the ground, yet compressedabsorbing medium. In some examples, at least a subset of the coir fibersthat remain intact after grinding may be between ¼ inch to ½ inch inlength.

The bulking agent may also include any added natural porous substratethat enhances the bulking agent, such as by adding beneficial nutrientsor improving water drainage. Examples of suitable natural poroussubstrates include, but are not limited to, pine bark, fir bark, redwoodbark, hardwood bark, polystyrene foam, sawdust, rock wool, perlite,vermiculite, pumice, scoria, composted organic materials, shale rock,calcined clay pellets and volcanic pumice. These porous substratesenhance the rate of water percolation or drainage pulled by gravity andthe quantity of water stored after drainage.

The absorbing medium also includes one or more water-retentive polymers.These polymers, also called superabsorbing polymers (SAP's), arehydrophobic materials that can absorb fluid and retain it under pressurewithout dissolution in the fluid being absorbed. The materials used aregenerally all synthesized by one of two routes. In the first, a watersoluble polymer is cross-linked so that it can swell between cross-linksbut not dissolve. In the second, a water-soluble monomer isco-polymerized with a water-insoluble monomer into blocks. Generally,the water-retentive polymer is a non-foamed polymer. Suitablewater-retentive polymers include, but are not limited to, saponifiedstarch graft polyacrylonitrile copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polymalsiaanhydride-vinyl monomer superabsorbents, starch-polyacrylic acid grafts,polyacrylonitrile based polymers, cross-linked polyacrylamide,cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene, cross-linked n-vinyl pyrrolidone orvinyl pyrrolidone-acrylamide copolymer, and polyvinyl alcoholsuperabsorbents. These polymers absorb many times their own weight inaqueous fluid. Additional suitable water-retentive polymers include, butare not limited to sodium propionate-acrylamide, poly (vinyl pyridine),polyethylene imine, polyphosphates, poly (ethylene oxide), vinyl alcoholcopolymer with acrylamide, and vinyl alcohol copolymer with acrylic acidacrylate. Combinations of the above polymers may also be used, dependingon the intended use of the absorbing medium, and the desired absorptionand release rates of water and nutrients.

In one exemplary embodiment the water-retentive polymer is a potassium-or sodium-based polymer, such as a synthetic polyacrylate/polyacrylamidecopolymer. Like many absorbent polymers, it can absorb many hundredtimes its weight in water. In an embodiment, the absorbent polymer isacrylamide/potassium acrylate copolymer. Potassium-based polymers arenon-toxic and do not cause harm to the environment. Additionally,potassium is a nutrient that promotes plant development. Generally, thewater-retentive polymer used ranges up to about 25% by dry weight ofpotassium acrylate acrylamide copolymer, more preferably in an amountfrom about 2% to about 15% by dry weight of the absorbing medium.

The absorbing medium may also include a non-ionic surfactant oremulsifier that wets the dry hydrophilic bulking agent and decreasessurface tension that would otherwise prevent water take up. Thus, thesurfactant increases the rate at which the bulking agent absorbs water.Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited topolyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block co-polymers; alkanol amides,betamol derivatives; block co-polymers comprising a series ofcondensates of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases formed bycondensing propylene oxide with proylene glycol; ethyoxylated compoundscomprising alcohols, alkyl phenols, amines and amides, alkylphenolethoxylates, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, oxo-alcohol polyethyleneglycol ethers, alkylphenol-ethoxylates, fatty or oxo-alcoholpolyethylene glyco ethers, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic blockcopolymers. In one embodiment the non-ionic surfactant ispolyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer in an amount from about0.001% to about 3.5% by dry weight of the total matrix.

The absorbing medium is also free of a water soluble binder material.Conventional absorbing media having a water-retentive polymer alsocontain a water soluble binder material, such as polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), polyvinyl acetate or a polyacrylate, to bind an absorbing mediumtogether when wet and help to maintain the structural integrity of theabsorbing medium. However, the compressed absorbing medium describedherein does not require a binder material to maintain its structuralintegrity, and thus contains no PVA or other binder material.

A compressed absorbing medium typically uses a water retentive polymerthat has a water absorbtivity from about 50 to about 600 times itsweight. At such absorption levels, the entire composition upon exposureto rainfall or watering is converted to a wet, gas-permeable gel.

The compressed absorbing medium may also contain a fertilizer. Themajority of the added fertilizer is in water-insoluble granular form,and may be either organic or inorganic. The fertilizer also usually doesnot inhibit the water absorption or release functions of thewater-retentive polymer. The specific fertilizer used in the compressedsoil is specifically targeted to a particular plant or plants andgeographical region, since different regions and plants can be benefitedby different fertilizers. The fertilizer is preferably configured andchosen to contain nutrients that are effective for up to about 8 weeks.Examples of suitable fertilizers include, but are not limited to,manures, bone meals, blood meals, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, sewagesludge, compost, urea, ureaform, isobutylidene diurea, slow-releasefertilizers, sulfur-coated urea, oxamide, melamine, calcium nitrate,ammonium bicarbonate, nitrate of soda, calcium cyanamide, ammoniumsulphate (sulphate of ammonia), calcium ammonium nitrate (limestoneammonium nitrate), ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate nitrate,nitrogen solutions, ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, basic slag,single superphosphate, rock phosphate (raw), dicalcium phosphate, triplesuperphosphate, kainit, potassium magnesium sulphate (sulphate of potashmagnesia), potassium chloride (muriate of potash), potassium sulphate(sulphate of potash), mono (di)-ammonium phosphate, ammoniatedsuperphosphates, ammoniated polyphosphates, nitrophosphates, potassiumnitrate, potassic slag, potassic superphosphates, compound fertilizers,complex fertilizers, mixed fertilizers, bulk blend and combinationsthereof.

The compressed absorbing medium may also contain other components, suchas nutrients, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growthenhancers, or other beneficial components known to those of skill in theart. These components are absorbed, stored and released by thewater-retentive polymer(s) on a consistent level as needed by theplants.

In an exemplary method of making a compressed absorbing medium, thebulking agent is decompressed to a volume-to-volume ratio of about 3:1or less. The absorbing medium components, including the bulking agent,the water-retentive polymer and any other additional components, arethen blended together with a blender or other mixer. The mixture is thentransported by an auger (screw type conveyer) to a hopper that feeds apress. The auger takes air out of the mixture and keeps the mixtureblended, which could separate if left standing for a period of time.

The absorbing medium is then compressed at a volume-to-volume ratioranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1 in order to provide a compressedabsorbing medium suitable for packaging, shipment and sale. Preferablythe absorbing medium is compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio rangingfrom about 5:1 to about 10:1, and more preferably from about 7:1 toabout 8:1. The absorbing medium is typically compressed into bricks,slabs, wafers, pellets, cubes, triangles and any other shape. The terms“wafer” and “pellet” as used herein are not limited to any one shape,but may include shapes that are spherical, elliptical, egg-shaped,square, rectangular, crescent, convex, concave, flat or any otherregular or irregular shape. The compressed bricks, slabs, wafers andpellets may then be packaged in pouches, grow-bags, cans, canisters,jars, boxes, and other packages known to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, compressed wafers and pellets are made by firstblending together the absorbing medium components in the mannerdescribed above. The mixture is then compressed at about roomtemperature to form a compressed absorbing medium. The compression canbe carried out by means of a pressing device, such as a compactor or twoform cylinders rotating in opposite directions. The pressure or tonnageused may vary. In one embodiment, the absorbing medium is compressedwith concurrent agitation, such as by an auger, in order to thoroughlymix all components of the absorbing medium and prevent settling ofheavier components, such as the water-retentive polymers and/or otherconstituents. The compressed absorbing medium may then be molded, shapedor formed into wafers and/or pellets. The wafers and/or pellets are thenpackaged, as will be described in further detail below.

In another embodiment, a compressed absorbing medium wafer is made byfirst preparing an absorbing medium from the above-described components.This absorbing medium is then pressed at high pressures (approximately7500 psi). The pressure usually varies, depending on the shape of thecompressed absorbing medium. In one embodiment the absorbing mediumcavities are plugged with a paste composed of 50% by dry weight dry peatand 50% by dry weight of an aqueous solution containing 11.25% by dryweight PVA and 0.125% by dry weight non-ionic surfactant. The compressedabsorbing medium is then formed into wafers and pellets and thenpackaged for sale.

In another embodiment, compressed pellets are formed by first preparingan absorbing medium. The absorbing medium is then contacted with thegranulation pan and the mixture is granulated in the granulation pan toform pellets.

Other methods for forming compressed pellets include spraying whilerotating in a mixer, the use of drum coaters, fluidized bed techniques,Wurster air suspension coating processes, pan coaters and spouted beds.

As illustrated in the exemplary methods mentioned above, the compressedabsorbing medium wafers and pellets can be packaged for storage andtransport. Since many factors can affect the absorbing medium, such asambient moisture, proper temperature, ample oxygen, and light, manymethods are available to alter these factors during storage andtransport. Maintaining humidity and/or oxygen levels at the lowestpossible levels in the packaging may be employed. Suitable methods forproducing a packaging include vacuum-packing, pillow packing, controlledatmosphere packing, modified atmosphere packing, desiccant packing, andother methods known to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, the compressed absorbing medium wafers and pelletsare vacuum-packed. Vacuum packing is a process whereby air and/or thewater in it are evacuated from a storage bag or container, thusdecreasing the oxygen content and humidity in and around the soilmixture. Generally, the vacuum-packing process may be carried out by anyprocess or apparatus known to those of skill in the art. Conventionalvacuum-sealing or vacuum-packing machinery may be used, such as externalclamp pouch machines, external clamp snorkel machines (also known asretractable nozzle machines) and chamber machines.

In other embodiments, the wafers and pellets are packaged by pillowpacking, controlled atmosphere packing or modified atmosphere packing.In these methods, after the absorbing medium is vacuum-packaged a gas orcombination of gases is injected into the package to yield a packagethat has substantially all atmospheric oxygen removed but is not drawndown tight around the absorbing medium. Suitable gases include, but arenot limited to nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfurdioxide, and inert gases such as helium, argon, xenon and neon. Theseanoxic packages contain little to no oxygen, while permitting a highermoisture content to help maintain the integrity of the absorbing mediumstructure. In another embodiment, the compressed absorbing medium isvacuum freeze dried before packing.

In yet another embodiment, the absorbing medium is packaged with adesiccant to reduce the ambient humidity. Suitable desiccants include,but are not limited to, silica gel, clays, calcium oxide, calciumsulfate, calcium chloride, molecular sieves, charcoal, alumina, aluminosilicate, calcium fluoride, lithium chloride, starches, a zeolite,barium oxide, magnesium perchlorate, glycerin, calcium hydride,phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sulfuricacid, ethylene glycol, barium oxide, sodium sulfate and combinationsthereof. In another embodiment, inert gas may also be introduced intothe package to replace air and/or moisture. Including a desiccant orinert gas significantly reduces humidity.

The packages used for packaging the absorbing medium according to theabove methods include, but are not limited to jars, cans, plasticpouches, standard flat vacuum pouches, and other packages known to thoseof skill in the art. In one embodiment the package comprises vacuumpouches made of multi-layered nylon and polyethylene. In anotherembodiment the package comprises plastic cans such as tennis ball cans.Since the vacuum-packing and other methods of packing described aboveare used to produce substantially anoxic packages, other methods ofpacking known to those of skill in the art that do not reduce humidityor oxygen content can be used for a compressed absorbing medium that isnot pre-seeded.

Generally, the compressed absorbing medium, whether in bricks, slabs,wafers and pellets, cubes or other shapes can be used anywhere aconventional soil or absorbing medium is used, including sports fields,parks, home lawns, gardens, indoor pots, outdoor pots, greenhouses,nurseries, farms, forests, and other agricultural, forest, commercialand home uses. The compressed, packaged absorbing medium is also easierto transport and handle, being roughly 10% of the weight or atraditional planting medium.

The wafers and pellets can be deposited according to any method known tothose of skill in the art, such as by hand or with machinery. Afterdepositing the wafers and pellets, water is added to the soil mixture.Approximately one inch of rain is required to activate the preferredcapsule matrix; however, water requirements can be varied in light oflocal climate conditions, and resulting proportions of matrixcomponents. The resulting gel-like structure permits the exchange ofoxygen and the retention of water. It also forms a mechanical barrier topredators. In addition, the encapsulating process permits the optionalinclusion of nutrients, fertilizers and fungicides selected to addresslocal conditions. In other embodiments the soil mixture includescommercial fungicides such as Banlate™ at levels to 5000 ppm, Ridamil™at levels to 50 ppm, and Thiaram™ at levels up to 25 ppm without toxiceffect, the polymers or the nutrients that might be added.

Precise ratios of ingredients affect the most advantageouscharacteristics of the absorbing medium. The particular use made of theabsorbing medium and local absorbing conditions will dictate the ratioschosen. Generally the absorbing medium, when wetted, holds sufficientwater, but not a deleterious amount of water. The combination ofcomponent characteristics in the absorbing medium yields a product thathas qualities of performance, convenience and cost-effectiveness.

The principles described herein can also be applied to cleaning harmfuland/or liquid materials, like those materials that are spilled during anaccident, pose a threat from flooding, or other types of harmfulmaterials. In some examples, the harmful material may be weather relatedwater that poses an erosion risk. In other examples, the harmfulmaterials are from oil spills, water spills, bodily fluid spills, saltspills, flooding, other sources, or combinations there. The harmfulmaterial may be water based and/or oil based materials.

In some examples, the absorbing medium includes kenaf, which may havethe capability of absorbing oil based materials. Thus, in situationslike an oil spill, the kenaf in the absorbing medium may remove the oilfrom the surface on which the oil is deposited. As the oil is absorbed,the kenaf is enlarged and spreads, which can carry the oil farther awayfrom the surface. In the enlarged state, the absorbing medium can beremoved from the scene. In some examples, the absorbing medium can beremoved through shoveling the material up. In other examples, theenlarged absorbing medium may be pushed away from the sensitive scene.In yet other examples, the enlarged absorbing medium may be blasted awayfrom the scene with a power washer, hose, or another type of removalmechanism.

The absorbing medium may include compressed coir. For example, the coirmay be compressed from an uncompressed state to a volume to volume ratioof at least 3:1. Thus, the volume of the coir may be reduced to onethird or less of the volume that the coir was while in an uncompressedstate. In some examples, the coir particles are compressed at a ratio of4-6:1. The compressed coir may include coir fiber, coir pith, coir dust,other forms of coir, or combinations thereof. In some examples, thecompressed coir is compressed with other constituents. For example, anoil absorbent, kenaf, peat moss, superabsorbing polymers, pesticide,fungicides, fertilizers, deodorizers, fragrances, coloring dies, and soforth may be compressed with the coir.

After compression, the coir and whatever other constituents are addedare melded together to function as a single material. Further, in thecompressed state, the compressed coir has a characteristic of being ableto expand more than the coir would have otherwise been capable ofexpanding while in the uncompressed state.

In the compressed state, the coir and the other melded togetherconstituents are ground to a grind size. The absorption medium may beground to any appropriate grind size. In some examples, the grind sizeis between 1/25 inches and ½ inch.

In some examples, other constituents are added to the absorption mediumafter the coir is ground. In one particular example, uncompressed kenafis admixed with the ground coir particles.

The coir can absorb the water. Thus, the kenaf can be used to absorb theoil contaminants, and the coir can be used to absorb the water basedcontaminants. Thus, the same absorbing medium can be used in multipletypes of applications.

The kenaf may be processed to be kenaf fiber and/or kenaf coir. The coirmay be processed to be coir dust and/or coir fiber.

In some cases, the other constituents are added to the coir during thecompression stage, in which the added constituents are compressed andground with the coir. But, in other examples, the other constituents areadded to the coir after grinding. In this type of example, the otherconstituents are mixed with the ground coir in an uncompressed state.These additional materials may include superabsoring polymers, spaghampeat moss, peat, cotton, mineral wool, paper pulp, peat bark, birchbark, wool and/or hair, oil absorption medium s, eating microbes,perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, minerals,fragrances, deodorizers, pesticides, fungicides, other types ofmaterials, or combinations thereof.

The absorbing medium may be poured into the harmful material to absorbthe harmful material's contents. The liquid portions of the harmfulmaterial may be carriers that transport the solid portions of theharmful material into the absorption medium. As the liquid of theharmful material is absorbed into the absorbing medium, the absorbingmedium enlarges, which makes the removal of the absorbing medium easier.When the enlarged absorbing medium is removed, the liquid and solidportions of the harmful material is removed with the absorption medium.

In some cases, the harmful material may be a salt. In some situations,water can be added to the salt before adding the absorbing medium sothat the salt can dissolve in the water, which is then absorbed into theabsorbing medium for removal. In other situations, the absorbing mediumis added to the dry salt first, and then water is added to the absorbingmedium so that the absorbing medium is moist which also dissolves thesalt for absorption into the absorbing medium. In yet other examples,water is added to the absorbing medium before being added to the salt.In this situation, the moisture that dissolves the salt is alreadycontained in the absorption medium. In even additional examples, thesalt spill may have occurred in a moist environment or the salt wasspilled with a liquid. In these situations, the moisture in theenvironment may be sufficient to absorb the salts into the absorptionmedium. In some cases, salt destroying agents may be used to destroy thesalt when the salt is absorbed into the absorption medium.

In flooding situations, such as in a basement of a home, the absorbingmedium can be added directly to the damp areas in the home. In caseswhere the basement has a concrete floor, the absorbing medium with theabsorbed harmful material can be removed through shoveling. In caseslike flooding, the harmful material may just be water. But, the water isharmful because stagnant water in the basement, wall, carpet, and soforth may mildew and result in unhealthy living conditions. In somecases, the absorbing medium may be placed on a carpet and absorbed waterthat is underneath the carpet. In yet other examples, the absorbingmedium may be placed adjacent to joints between the wall and floor,cracks in the wall, soggy portions of the wall, or other hard to reachareas, and the absorbing medium may absorb at least some of the moisturefrom these hard to reach places.

The absorbing medium may also include microbes that process at least aportion of the harmful material. For example, oil eating microbes may bemixed into the absorbing medium that eat the oil that is absorbed intothe absorption medium. In some cases, the microbes are part of thekenaf.

The coir and the kenaf may have different particle sizes. In some cases,the kenaf particular sizes are relatively larger than the coir particlesizes. In one particular example, the coir particles are compressed andthe kenaf is uncompressed.

The absorbing medium may be added to parks, fields, streets, racetracks, tennis courts, sport arenas, chicken coops, farms, horse stalls,barns, and so forth to minimize flooding damage or minimize a swampycharacteristics of the area. The absorption medium may be carried byemergency and/or health personnel. For example, first responders cancarry the absorption medium to clean up spills involving bodily fluid,blood, urine, vomit, paint, liquids, water, oils, other biomedicalhazards, or combinations thereof.

In some cases, the absorption medium may go through an extractionprocess, which may include applying external pressure to the absorbingmedium to extract the absorb the liquid material. In cases where oil isspilled, the oil may be extracted from the absorbing medium for energy,making products, lubrication, or for other types of reuse.

The absorption medium may be significantly lighter than conventionalsand. In this situation, the absorption medium may be lighter than theconventional sand bags used to control the flow of water during aflooding situation. The absorption medium may be added to bags and usedas a replacement to the sand bags. These bags have advantages to theconventional sand bags in that they are lighter, which means that theyare easier to carry and transport. But, when the bag comes into contactwith the water, the absorption medium absorbs the water causing both anincrease in the bag's size and weight, which is sufficient to cause thebags to operate in at least a similar manner to the conventional sandbags.

FIG. 1 is an example of a method (900) of making an absorption mediumincluding compressing (902) coir from an uncompressed state to a volumeto volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 30:1, and grinding(904) the compressed coir into ground coir with a grind size of 1/25inch to ½ inch.

FIG. 2 is an example of a method (1000) of using an absorption mediumincludes adding (1002) an absorption medium onto harmful material wherethe absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having beencompressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratiogreater than 3:1, but less than 30:1, and having been ground to a grindsize of 1/25 inches to ½ inch.

In some examples, the method may also include removing the absorbingmedium after the harmful material is at least partially absorbed intothe absorbing medium. For example, the absorbing medium may be placed onan oil spill in a mechanic garage and absorb at least a portion of theoil. As the oil is absorbed, at least some of the constituents of theoil is absorbed causing the absorbing medium to expand. In the expandedstate, the absorbing medium can be shoveled up, swept away, push away,or otherwise removed from the scene. As the absorption medium isremoved, the absorbed portions of the harmful material are so removed.

In other examples, the absorbing medium is left in place and is notintended to be removed. For example, if an oil pipeline travelingthrough a forest were to have a spill, the absorbent medium may beplaced on the forest floor. The oil may be at least partially absorbedinto the absorbing medium. In those examples where the absorbing mediumincludes microbes, the microbes can eat the absorbed oil therebyremoving the oil from the environment. The coir and other components ofthe absorbing medium are environmentally friendly and may also includenutrients that promote growth on the forest floor. Thus, adding theabsorption medium may be a one-step remediation process.

FIGS. 3-6 depict a comparison of absorbing capabilities of an example ofan absorbing medium (“Product 1”) in accordance with the principles inthe present disclosure and a commercially available medium (“Product 2”)made of primarily coir dust. The commercially available medium may bepurchased under the name Canna Coco through Canna Continental, which hasa place of business at 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #200, LosAngeles, Calif., U.S.A.

Product 1 includes compressed coir particles that have a 4-6:1compression ratio. In some examples, no more than 25 percent of the coirparticles include coir dust. The remainder of the coir particles includecoir fibers. At least some of these coir fiber may range from ¼ inch to½ inch long. In contrast, Product 2 is not compressed and all the coirparticles are coir dust or short coir fibers that are shorter than 2 mm.

In this comparison, one cup of Product 1 was placed in a first tray andanother single cup of Product 1 was placed in a second tray. Each of thesingle cups of Product 1 weighed about 99 grams. Additionally, one cupof Product 2 was placed in a third tray and another single cup ofProduct 2 was placed in a third tray. Each of the cups of Product 2weigh about 30 grams. While the volume of Product 1 and Product 2 areboth a single cup, Product 1 is heavier because Product 1 has a greaterdensity resulting from the compression.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of Product 1 disposed within a tray 1100. Inthis example, three quarters of a cup of 10w40 oil was added toProduct 1. As can be seen in FIG. 3, oil containing portions 1102 ofProduct 1 absorbed the entire amount of oil.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of Product 1 disposed within another tray1200. In this example, three cups of water were poured into theProduct 1. The entire amount of water was absorbed into Product 1. Inthis example, the water caused Product 1 to expand, which is in contrastto the results of the Product 1 depicted in FIG. 3 where the oil did notcause Product 1 to expand. Thus in the example, water is absorbed intoProduct 1 and caused Product 1 to expand while oil was absorbed intoProduct 1, but did not expand Product 1.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of Product 2 disposed with a tray 1300. Inthis example, three quarters of a cup of 10w40 oil was poured intoProduct 2. But, the oil spread portions of Product 2 and was notabsorbed. For example, oil is depicted as pooling in a first corner 1302and a second corner 1304 of the tray 1300. The movement of the oil alsopushed portions of Product 2 along causing Product 2 to spread outwithin the tray 1300.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of Product 2 disposed within a tray 1400. Inthis example, just two cups of water was poured into Product 2. Littleto no water was absorbed by Product 2. Rather, the water did not mixwith Product 2 and spread throughout the tray 1400. The water carriedProduct 2 with it as the water spread out, thereby causing Product 2 tospread out as well. In this example, Product 2 is depicted as floatingon top of the water.

As can be seen, Product 1, which is an absorbing material based on theprinciples described herein, absorbs both oil and water significantlymore than Product 2, which is a material that includes primarily coirdust and short coir fibers under 2 mm long. Additional experiments thatincluded Product 1 mixed with kenaf material resulted in similarabsorption results for water. But, the absorption rates for Product 1mixed with kenaf resulted in better oil absorption rates than justProduct 1 alone.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe exemplary embodiments of the present system and method. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system and method to anyprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of thesystem and method be defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorption medium, comprising: compressed coirparticles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volumeto volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having beenground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½; wherein the compressed coirparticles including coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fibers havea length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
 2. The absorption medium of claim 1,wherein the compressed coir particles have a characteristic of havingbeen compressed with an oil absorbent.
 3. The absorption medium of claim2, wherein the oil absorbent is kenaf.
 4. The absorption medium of claim2, wherein the oil absorbent is perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth,vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
 5. The absorption mediumof claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles are admixed with anuncompressed oil absorbent.
 6. The absorption medium of claim 5, whereinthe uncompressed oil absorbent is kenaf.
 7. The absorption medium ofclaim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles having a characteristicof having been compressed with superabsorbing polymer.
 8. The absorptionmedium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles having acharacteristic of having been compressed with spagham peat moss.
 9. Theabsorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particleshaving a characteristic of having been compressed with eating microbes.10. A method of making an absorption medium, comprising: compressingcoir from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greaterthan 3:1, but less than 15:1; and grinding the compressed coir intoground coir with to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch; wherein theground coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coirfibers have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
 11. The absorptionmedium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressingthe coir with an oil absorbent.
 12. The absorption medium of claim 11,wherein the oil absorbent is kenaf.
 13. The absorption medium of claim11, wherein the oil absorbent is perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth,vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
 14. The absorption mediumof claim 10, further including admixing the ground coir with anuncompressed oil absorbent.
 15. The absorption medium of claim 14,wherein the uncompressed oil absorbent is kenaf.
 16. The absorptionmedium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressingthe coir with a superabsorbing polymer.
 17. The absorption medium ofclaim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressing the coirwith spagham peat moss.
 18. The absorption medium of claim 10, whereincompressing the coir includes compressing the coir with eating microbes.19. A method of using an absorption medium, comprising: adding anabsorbing medium onto a liquid material, where the absorption mediumincludes compressed coir particles having been compressed from anuncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, butless than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to½ inch; wherein the compressed coir particles includes coir dust andcoir fibers where the coir fibers have a length between ¼ inch and ½inch.
 20. The method of claim 19, further including removing theabsorbing medium after the liquid material is at least partiallyabsorbed into the absorbing medium.